The Butterfly Club
Introduction
Raisons d'Etre
The Butterfly Club is an organization whose members believe - and are dedicated to proving - that more advanced technology than Calmarendi's current steam age engineering is not only possible but already exists.
Origin of the Name
Beyond the fact that it is designed to obfuscate the organization's purpose, the reason for the particular name Butterfly Club is entirely unknown.
Organization and Structure
Membership
The organization has a very flat, decentralized structure, the membership being divided into cells (mainly of a geographical nature but there are also others based upon their specialized functions) that almost never interact with each other and only on a needs-must basis with the centre.
Leadership
The organization is led or, perhaps more accurately, coordinated, by a council of four known at the Tetrad.
Becoming a Member
One guaranteed way of being refused membership of the Butterfly Club is to apply to join the Butterfly Club; how can you hope to be accepted into an organization you are not even supposed to know exists?
Potential new recruits are identified by the organization from among those in the general population who demonstrate an aptitude for creativity and innovative thinking, whether that be in the fields of science, technology and engineering or in more artistic and social endeavours. Then follows extensive vetting and finally an approach to the person concerned. You can no doubt see how telepaths come in real handy here.
You might now also understand why the Butterfly Club would take such a keen interest in an off-world mathematician and a giant robot girl who learns how to compose music, choreograph dance routines and cheat at table race!
Motivation and Goals
Openly - in so much as any organization whose motives and even its very existence are shrouded in as much mystery and secrecy as those of the Butterfly Club can be open about anything - the primary objectives of the Butterfly Club is to learn the truth about the nature of technology and the lack of technological progress on Calmarendi. What they will do with that knowledge once they have it - after all, whilst the Six Provinces may not be home to the most prosperous civilization the Universe (or even Calmarendi itself) has ever seen, it is, by and large, a peaceful, stable and reasonably content one - is another matter entirely. It would be fair to say that, when it comes to this ultimate question, there are few even amongst its own members, who understand its true motivations.
List of Notable Members
Current Leadership
See Tetrad
Other Current Members
in no particular order...- "Paperback Reader" One of the group's "black ops" specialists and a high level telepath. He would be the most likely to take the step up to the Tetrad if anything untoward were to befall one of its existing members.
- Andrea Valentine A young but competent operative and, in the view of Edward Hardacre, at least, one of those very rare beasts: an apparently nascent telepath within whom lie hidden the most powerful of telepathic abilities. Attempting to bring them out is a risk to both the young woman and to the organization but one the Tetrad is prepared to take.
- Squirrel The enigmatically named Squirrel is an experienced on-the-ground organizer specializing in setting up new member cells and fixing those that have broken.
- Benjamin Stairwell Behind the front of genial publican at the Black Swan in Stoke Gabriel, Va, Benjamin is the "eyes and ears" of the organization in that neck of the woods. While perfectly capable of playing the rôle of Ashleigh's loyal henchman, he is rarely called upon to do so lest drawing unwanted attention upon himself should damage the persona with whom his clientele are willing and eager to share local gossip and confidences.
- Vespasian The Butterfly Club's embedded asset within the personal entourage of Princess Alexandra.
Former Members
- Lorelei Brightwater Lorelei is credited, though on the basis of little tangible evidence, with the foundation of the Butterfly Club.
- Vienna Valentine Vienna was a local operative in Blear Bridge, Va.
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